74 INTRODUCTION. 



General Hardwick, who observed it in the Isle of 

 France. " During my residence," says the General, 

 " for some months in this island, I have witnessed 

 the propensity evinced by some fishes for the pre- 

 servation of their young. In the tanks and fresh- 

 water preserves the proprietors bred the fish just 

 named. The singular habits of the creature in the 

 breeding season must have been often observed; for 

 at this time they frequent the sides of the tanks, 

 which afford shelter from a quantity of grass grow- 

 ing about them, the culms of which trail and stretch 

 several feet into the water, and supply cover to the 

 operations going on while the goramy is busied in 

 completing the deposition of its spawn. They are 

 for several days seen very active, passing in and 

 out of the grassy cover, and thickening it in some 

 places by entangling the trailing shoots, and form- 

 ing what is commonly considered the spot under 

 which the deposit is made/' 



To this we add, that abundant is the evidence 

 now supplied of the anxious parental care which 

 is exhibited by many fishes for the welfare of 

 their offspring. Thus, to refer again, for a mo- 

 ment, to the instances already adduced. Of the 

 Stickle-back, Dr. Johnston remarks: " For a time 

 the fish is apparently very anxious for the safety of 

 its nest and spawn. Some individuals were watched 

 by Messrs. Duncan and Turnbull for weeks, and it 

 was observed that the same fish was always in at- 

 tendance upon its own nest. During the time of 

 hope and expectation they become fearless, and will 



